Your ductwork is the pathway that brings warm air to every room in the home during the cold months. More so, if you have a unit that also has a cooling function, it means the same ductwork carries cool air. Therefore, it is likely to use the ducts throughout the year, which can increase the speed of their wear and tear. Fortunately, you can tell when the ductwork stops working by assessing a few signs. Here are three signs that your ductwork needs repairs. 

Banging, Rattling, and Whistling

It is normal to hear certain sounds when you turn on your furnace. This is because the fan kicks in immediately after you turn on the system and starts blowing air into the ducts. However, the sound should not be sudden or startling. Note that if there is damage inside the ductwork, the rush of air creates other noises, such as rattling from loose pieces. Also, you might hear whistling if the system has holes and gaps, while bangs come from poorly attached ductwork. More importantly, note that these are not problems you can solve with DIY repairs. Instead, call an HVAC installation expert to repair loose or torn ducks.

Dust and Debris in the House

The air circulating inside the home should get into the heat exchanger through one route. More so, you should have clean air if the filter is working and there is no leakage in the ductwork. However, if your ductwork is damaged, unfiltered air will enter the system, leading to low-quality air inside the house. In such a case, sealing the ductwork is the best way to improve the quality of air blowing from the furnace. In other cases, you may notice a musty and rotting smell coming from certain parts of the ducts. This means that your system has moisture damage encouraging mold growth. So, get a professional to clean and seal them before your family starts experiencing recurring allergies.

The Airflow Is Bad

Poor airflow is another indicator that the system is compromised. This is because air will only flow efficiently when there are no loopholes in its path. So, if the vent farthest from your heater is producing the least amount of heated air, your ducts could be leaking. In this case, a heating technician will assess your duct network for possible holes and seal them to restore proper airflow.

These are some of the signs that you have damaged ductwork. Note that it is important to speak to an HVAC expert since damaged ductwork is not a problem you can troubleshoot and fix yourself. Moreover, they might recommend redesigning the entire ductwork if the damages are complex.

Contact a local HVAC service to learn more.